Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-09-10
@, A. r.

1ne character ana extent or the pre-
partitions now being made at st. Louis
for the twenty first national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army cf the Repub-
! lie, to be held in that city during the
last week Of the present month, bids
fair to excel by far all former efforts in
this direction. Grand and elaborate
arches spanning number of the princi-
pal business thoroughfares will be
among the attractive features Of the
occasion, prominent among which may
be mentioned the Grant, Lincoln, and
grand railroad arches. At heights of
thirty feet upon the Grant and Lincoln
arches will appear statues of these i'm
mortal heroes in cathedral glass; the
statue of Grant bearing the great SOL
dier's motto, "Let us have Peace" and
Lincoln's, the kindly motto of she great
president, with malice toward none
and charity for all" Above the great
| railroad arch, an immense locomotive,
twenty one feet in length and nine feet
in hight will present the effect of
moving above the arch. The bell will
ring, whistle sound, wheels move
smoke will be seen and the escape OF
steam heard, while the headlight will
shine ont brightly, the whole presenting
a magnificently realistic scene. The
city illuminations will be extensive and
| varied, and war emblems and peace
notices VIII be displayed in the great
est profusion. 1t is expected that the
number in attendance will be largely in
excess of that of any previous encamp-
| ment, in view Of which much effort has
been made to secure accommodations
for SO large number. The total mem.
bership of the Grand Army of the Re
public is now estimated to be 100000,
and is said to be rapidly increasing
Five hundred thousand dollars is said
to be annually distributed among needy
veterans and their families from the re,
lief fund of the order. Dakota posts dis
bursed 1857 for charitable purposes
during the fiscal year ending March 3lst,
1897, which was more than the amount
expended in this direction by any one
of sixteen of the states and territories of
the Union. The amount thus disbursed
during the last fiscal year was dstribut-
ed among 26,606 cases, Of whom 1907
were members Of the Grand Army,
while the remainder were either old
soldiers, not members, or those depen-
dent on old soldiers or deceased v.ter-
ans for support.
Gen. Steele Post, No. "a, Department
of Dakota, located in this city, will be
repre- Sented at the national encamp-
ment by ten members, which will prob
ably be higher representation than
any other post in the territory will have.
The names Of the comrades who have
announced their intention of going are
IS. Nj. BootlI commander Of the post
and junior vice commander Of the de-
parment of Dakota, who will be accom-
Pauieu Wy lis WIG anu son capt
Charles A. Haserodt, aide.de-camp on
the staff Of the National commander-in.
chief; A. P. Smith, senior vice com,
mander; Alfred Johnson, officer Of the
day; II. J. Stone, officer Of the guard
+. II. Flynn, sargent major; and Com.
rades T. p. Sweet, Uri Gillette, Robert
| Mckee and j. S. Palmer.
A magnificent banner is being pre-.
pared by the ladies Of this city, which
will reflect credit upon their artistic
| taste, and render the Custer delegation
more attractive and conspicuous in the
grand parade, while being bourne on
| that occasion by Comrade Flynn, the
gallant sergeant major of the most